Tips and Comments to Assist Citizens
Research:
Know who your legislators are so you can better decide who might sponsor your Bill.
1. Create a profile on each Legislator who will be voting on your issue
Include what Committees they serve on and if they are the Chair of a Committee
Look at what they have written or co-sponsored in the past
Look at their past votes on similar issues
Find out who their top campaign contributors have been
Note their professional path and that of their spouse
What organizations have asked them to speak
What organizations do they belong to and have memberships
Party affiliation and length of time in office
Update this every year
Know who your legislators are so you can better decide who might sponsor your Bill.
1. Create a profile on each Legislator who will be voting on your issue
Include what Committees they serve on and if they are the Chair of a Committee
Look at what they have written or co-sponsored in the past
Look at their past votes on similar issues
Find out who their top campaign contributors have been
Note their professional path and that of their spouse
What organizations have asked them to speak
What organizations do they belong to and have memberships
Party affiliation and length of time in office
Update this every year
2. Create a profile on each Standing Committee
Note who are the members and the Chair
Look at who donates to each of them
See if there is a dominate Party affiliation
What Bills have they passed in the past
See if they have any personal experiences that would make them more interested
Know who your opponents might be and what their message is to the public
Beware of "Fakeouts" where the title of the Bill or Ordinance is actually opposite - don't just go by the name, actually read the wording of a proposed piece of legislation since they may want to get votes from people who actually oppose it
Note who are the members and the Chair
Look at who donates to each of them
See if there is a dominate Party affiliation
What Bills have they passed in the past
See if they have any personal experiences that would make them more interested
Know who your opponents might be and what their message is to the public
Beware of "Fakeouts" where the title of the Bill or Ordinance is actually opposite - don't just go by the name, actually read the wording of a proposed piece of legislation since they may want to get votes from people who actually oppose it
3. Current Ordinances or Laws
Often legislators don't want to be the first to do something
Find similar laws in other cities or states to show a trend
This also gives legal research on the issue a jump start
Doing this shows you are serious about change
Often legislators don't want to be the first to do something
Find similar laws in other cities or states to show a trend
This also gives legal research on the issue a jump start
Doing this shows you are serious about change
4. Path for a New Piece of Legislation or How to Modify Existing Laws
Each governing body may have a slightly different process for researching, reading and voting
Create a Timeline so you know the deadlines and cutoff dates
Know what dates the Committee is meeting and when minutes from that Committee are available for review
Get on the notification lists to receive packets and notifications (APRA/FOIA)
Be mindful how many "readings" there are and if they can do them all at once and if they can be modified along the way
Plan your PR campaigns to match the process of when they will be reviewing and voting
Each governing body may have a slightly different process for researching, reading and voting
Create a Timeline so you know the deadlines and cutoff dates
Know what dates the Committee is meeting and when minutes from that Committee are available for review
Get on the notification lists to receive packets and notifications (APRA/FOIA)
Be mindful how many "readings" there are and if they can do them all at once and if they can be modified along the way
Plan your PR campaigns to match the process of when they will be reviewing and voting
5. Plan Your Media and Advocacy Presence
Once an Ordinance or Bill is out of Committee and starting to make it's way through the process, plan your phone, email and personal appearances
Requesting a group meeting with the Committee and speaking at public open mic times is key since they pay attention to energized Citizens
Find like minded groups who may want to join in (For example a gardening or plant group might join in for a clean water push)
Know your media and give them a full copy of your initiative and highlight in yellow any "sound bytes" for them to emphasize. Give the "human story" for it and be sure to have contact information for a spokesperson prominently on it. Also be sure to send it to the Newsroom/Producer of print, radio and TV.
Start your social media campaign from DAY ONE so you start to build SEO and have a # you use across all platforms consistently
Once an Ordinance or Bill is out of Committee and starting to make it's way through the process, plan your phone, email and personal appearances
Requesting a group meeting with the Committee and speaking at public open mic times is key since they pay attention to energized Citizens
Find like minded groups who may want to join in (For example a gardening or plant group might join in for a clean water push)
Know your media and give them a full copy of your initiative and highlight in yellow any "sound bytes" for them to emphasize. Give the "human story" for it and be sure to have contact information for a spokesperson prominently on it. Also be sure to send it to the Newsroom/Producer of print, radio and TV.
Start your social media campaign from DAY ONE so you start to build SEO and have a # you use across all platforms consistently
6. Show Gratitude to Those Who Assist
Never underestimate both public and private gratitude
Publically thank them on social media and tag those who have supported your cause
Send them handwritten Thank You notes (This is still appreciated even in a day of electronic media)
Know that often things don't get out of a Committee or pass the first, second or third time so continue to show your gratitude each step of the way
Never underestimate both public and private gratitude
Publically thank them on social media and tag those who have supported your cause
Send them handwritten Thank You notes (This is still appreciated even in a day of electronic media)
Know that often things don't get out of a Committee or pass the first, second or third time so continue to show your gratitude each step of the way
7. Advocacy Frustrations and Joys
The change process is often slow and frustrating so be PERSISTANT! It's a marathon!
Your Passion will need to fuel your Persistance
Remember the laws are to benefit the lives of the AVERAGE CITIZEN
This site was created to "Inform and Empower"
Know that even small ripples can make a difference--Thank you for being an Advocate!
The change process is often slow and frustrating so be PERSISTANT! It's a marathon!
Your Passion will need to fuel your Persistance
Remember the laws are to benefit the lives of the AVERAGE CITIZEN
This site was created to "Inform and Empower"
Know that even small ripples can make a difference--Thank you for being an Advocate!